Abstract [en]

Flame-retardants have a great impact on the environment and health. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) are the group of flame-retardants that mainly has been used since its entrance in the late 70s until the early 00s. PBDEs consist of Organobromine compounds, different types of halogenated compounds, which are highly resistant to degradation, persistent and in some cases even bioaccumulative and toxic. It has been ensured in previously studies that PBDEs has been found in the human body and in the environment. Humans are exposed every day to these pollutants through dust, food and especially from fatty fishes, as living organisms and fatty tissues are easily attracted to PBDE. A lot of the existing PBDE are forbidden in Europe; however, the issue still exist as imported products can contain PBDE. As the fire safety regulations in many countries increases, it is necessary to find a substitute for flame-retardants. To lessen or completely remove flame-retardants in loose interiors, as couches and mattresses a barrier-material could be a good substitute.

Comfort is an important component for loose interiors; in this study there was an interest to see how a material with inherent natural flame resistance behaved with wool. Wool, that has a good comfort and a natural resistance of flame, due to its high LOI. To decide which FR-fibre that will be looked into and analysed in this essay an ignition test on Kevlar, Nomex, Protex and Flamestop were made. These materials have different structures of flame resistance, in form of aramids, modacrylic and phosphorus viscose.

Three different percentages of Flamestop/Wool were created from the results of the previous mentioned ignition test. These three percentages were weaved into a plain weave, tested and analysed. Ignition and flame spread were tested on the weaves, analysed to see how the natural flame resistant material behaved together with wool and if there were any differences when comparing the different test specimens.

The result of the ignition and flame spread tests showed that the percentages of Flamestop played a role in the ignition test; the ability to extinguish was greater with a higher percentage of Flamestop in the weave. It was not possible to see a difference in the test of flame spreading. The test specimens with the FR-fibre perpendicular to the flames direction showed a better result than the test specimens with the FR-fibre in a longitudinal direction to the flame. It would be of interest to study weaves with FR-fibres in both directions of warp and weft.